Leach: Clearly Suicide By Cop

In a letter to the editor of the Coeur d’Alene Press today, former county Undersheriff Tad Leach writes: “Ofc. Spencer Mortensen of the Coeur d’Alene Police Department has been absolved in his shooting, and the video from his body worn camera is available to the public. In viewing that video, Ofc. Mortensen was exemplary in his actions. He advised the subject numerous times to drop the knife, tried to put distance between them and warned him he would shoot. It was only when Ofc. Mortensen was in imminent danger and had no choice but to protect himself, that he fired his weapon. While Coordinator of the Law Enforcement Program at North Idaho College, I provided the curriculum on Officer Assisted Suicides (commonly referred to as Suicide by Cop) for law enforcement officers at the POST Basic Academy. This situation had all the earmarks of that sad phenomenon.” More here.

• Story: Video shows fatal Coeur d’Alene police shooting /Coeur d’Alene Press

Question: Do you agree/disagree with former Undersheriff Leach’s contention that the Aug. 25, 2013, shooting of Dalton Gardens resident Eric Johnston was “suicide by cop”?